Hu or Court Tablet

What
are those stick-like objects that court officials sometimes hold in Shen Yun
dances? Those were imperial tablets, not unlike today’s tablets employed in office meetings, used to record notes
and memos from the boss—in this case the emperor.

These
slender tablets were known as hu, and were often held in (both) hands of
state officials during the emperor’s assembly. Courtiers used husto record the emperor’s
commands or report memoranda.

The
classic Book of Rites was very precise about the hu’s specifications. Made of jade,
ivory, or bamboo, the tablet’s material reflected the rank of the official
using it. It had to be exactly two feet six inches long, and three inches wide
(these were ancient Chinese measurements, with a “foot” roughly 23 cm, about 7
cm shorter than today).

The
tablet’s form was rectangular with either a wide top and narrow bottom
or round top and rectangular bottom. The tablet’s body was also
slightly curved from top to bottom.

The
hu’s days came to an end during the
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911/12), when the Manchurian emperors abandoned it.

Its
legacy continues, though, not only in Shen Yun dances, but also in Daoist lore,
which tells of immortals wielding a hu as
a magical instrument.

Interact with Shen Yun:

Shen Yun Performing Arts is a premier classical Chinese dance and music company established in New York. It performs
classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance, with orchestral accompaniment and solo performers.
For 5,000 years, divine culture flourished in the land of China. Through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is reviving
this glorious culture. Shen Yun, or 神韻, can be translated as: “The beauty of divine beings dancing.”